The promotion of the theory that the sling serves as an artificial
womb and is necessary to help stabilize a baby’s psychological passage
into the world has definitely popularized it. This is why the sling is so
popular in attachment-parenting circles. In terms of biomechanics,
carrying a baby in a sling many hours a day may increase neck and back
problems or even create them. Like all pieces of equipment, use it
thoughtfully. It is not a second womb.
Playpen
Once parents have their infant’s eating and sleeping patterns under
control, it’s time to do the same with waketime activities. This goal is
best accomplished by using the playpen, an invaluable piece of
equipment. Here are some of the benefits of using a playpen.
- It provides a safe environment. Playpens are a safe environment for
an infant when mom’s attention must be elsewhere and it’s not the baby’s
naptime. Mom can take a shower or unload the groceries from the car,
care for other children, and do a host of other activities knowing her baby
is safe. - It doubles as a portable bed. The playpen can be a portable bed.
Especially useful when visiting another home, the playpen gives the baby
a clean and familiar place to sleep.
3 . It offers a structured learning center. Most importantly, your
baby’s first structured learning takes place in the playpen. The
partnership a child has with the playpen helps establish foundational
intellectual skills.
Planned daily playpen times allow a little one the opportunity to
develop:
a) Mental focusing skills (the ability to concentrate on an object or
activity at hand and not be constantly distracted)(^) b) A sustained attention span
(^) c) Creativity (Creativity is the product of boundaries, not freedom.